Portable communication terminal capable of communicating with information terminal and method of converting control protocol of the same between different kinds of networks

ABSTRACT

In a portable communication terminal  10  which is capable of communicating with an information terminal  20  between different kinds of networks, the portable communication terminal  10  includes a plurality of radio communication sections  11, 21  which carry out data communications, respectively in respective service areas of the different kinds of networks, data communication control sections  12, 22  which control the data communications of a plurality of radio communication sections  11, 21  by their own first control commands of respective radio communication sections  11, 21 , and a command conversion section  13  which carries out conversion of the first control commands used by the data communication control sections  12, 22  and a second control command used for a communication with the information terminal  20.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable communication terminal whichis capable of communicating with an information terminal, in particularto a method of converting a control protocol of the portablecommunication terminal between different kinds of networks.

Conventionally, an AT (Attention) command system is used in controllingdata communication during data communication, and the like between aportable communication terminal and an information terminal capable ofcommunicating with the portable communication terminal. In the ATcommand system, a control command and a data array are time-divisionallytransferred in the same interface. A wireless WAN (Wide Area Network)CDMA (Carrier Division Multiple Access) communication section is formedin the portable communication terminal. The wireless WAN CDMAcommunication section carries out transmission and reception ofcommunication data in a wireless WAN service area.

A wireless WAN data communication control block is connected to thewireless WAN CDMA communication section through a data interface. Thewireless WAN data communication control block controls a communicationin the wireless WAN CDMA communication section. The wireless WAN datacommunication control block receives a reception data from the wirelessWAN CDMA communication section and sends a transmission data to thewireless WAN CDMA communication section. A command/data separation blockis connected to the wireless WAN data communication control blockthrough an interface and another interface. The command/data separationblock separates a control command and a data array both transferred inthe AT command system from each other. Between the command/dataseparation block and the wireless WAN data communication control block,a transfer of transmission and reception data is carried out through theinterface while a transfer of a control command is carried out throughthe interface.

A portable communication apparatus external interface block is connectedto the command/data separation block through a command data interface.Between the portable communication apparatus external interface blockand the command/data separation block, a transfer of the control commandand the data array both in the AT command system from the informationterminal is carried out through a data interface.

In the interim, in the above-mentioned portable communication terminal,only one command data interface exists between the portablecommunication apparatus external interface block and the command/dataseparation block. As a result, the information terminal cannot send acontrol command to the portable communication terminal during datacommunication.

It is therefore necessary that the information terminal always monitorswhether or not the portable communication terminal is during the datacommunication and so cannot receive the control command. Further, whenthe information terminal sends the control command, the informationterminal must send the control command after enabling the portablecommunication terminal to receive the control command by the use of anespecial sequence. Moreover, when necessary, the information terminalmust turn the portable communication terminal to be capable of the datacommunication again after finishing the sending of the control command.

On the other hand, for example, a protocol called NDIS (Network DriverInterface Specification) is used for a control command in general LAN(Local Area Network) equipment. It is thereby possible to send thecontrol command, even though the general LAN equipment is during datacommunication.

Under the circumstances, let the above-mentioned portable communicationterminal be supplied not only with a data transmission and receptionfunction by a wireless WAN but also with a data transmission andreception function by a wireless LAN. Accordingly, a method ofcontrolling command/data communication in a case the wireless WAN iseffective is different from a method of controlling command/datacommunication in a case the wireless LAN is effective. As a result, theconventional portable communication terminal has a problem that a methodof controlling the portable communication terminal for the datacommunication becomes complicated.

Further, in the wireless WAN communication, the control command cannotbe issued during data communication. As a result, an operation of theinformation terminal in a case of effective wireless LAN becomesdifferent from that in a case of effective wireless WAN. It is thereforefeared that a user of the information terminal comes to be confused.

On the other hand, if the control commands for the portablecommunication terminal in the wireless WAN is restricted to the NDISprotocol, it is feared that conventional application software installedin the information terminal become inoperable. Moreover, in adevelopment of the portable communication terminal itself, a period forthe development thereof is extended, since the conventional wireless WANdata communication control block is unable to be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portablecommunication terminal capable of communicating with an informationterminal and a method of converting control protocol of the portablecommunication terminal between different kinds of networks, that canrender a method of controlling data communication to be readilyconducted, even if the portable communication terminal has functions ofboth wireless WAN and wireless LAN, and that, even if the wireless WANor the wireless LAN is effective in the information terminal, canprevent an user of the information terminal from being confused due todifferent operations of the wireless WAN and the wireless LAN on theinformation terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portablecommunication terminal capable of communicating with an informationterminal and a method of converting control protocol of the portablecommunication terminal between different kinds of networks, that can,even if the control command in the wireless WAN is restricted to theNDIS protocol, prevent application software installed in the informationterminal from being inoperable.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portablecommunication terminal capable of communicating with an informationterminal and a method of converting control protocol of the portablecommunication terminal between different kinds of networks, that canprevent a period for a development of the portable communicationterminal from being extended on the ground that an wireless WAN datacommunication control block is unable to be used.

Other objects of the present invention will become clear as thedescription proceeds.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aportable communication terminal which is capable of communicating withan information terminal between different kinds of networks, comprising:a plurality of radio communication sections which carry out datacommunications, respectively in respective service areas of thedifferent kinds of networks; a data communication control section whichcontrols the data communications of a plurality of radio communicationsections by their own first control commands of respective radiocommunication sections; and a command conversion section which carriesout conversion of the first control commands used by the datacommunication control section and a second control command used for acommunication with the information terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a portable communication terminal which is capable ofcommunicating with an information terminal in an wireless WAN and anwireless LAN, comprising: an wireless WAN communication section whichhas a function of access to the wireless WAN; an wireless LANcommunication section which has a function of access to the wirelessLAN; an wireless LAN data communication control section which controlsdata communication of the wireless LAN communication section by acontrol command of the wireless LAN and which simultaneouslycommunicating with the information terminal at the control command ofthe wireless LAN; an wireless WAN data communication control sectionwhich controls data communication of the wireless WAN communicationsection by a control command of the wireless WAN; and an wireless WANcommand conversion section which carries out conversion of the controlcommand of the wireless WAN and the control command of the wireless LANbetween the wireless WAN data communication control section and theinformation terminal.

The communication may be carried out between the portable communicationterminal and the information terminal by a control protocol for thewireless LAN communication section.

The wireless WAN command conversion section may convert the controlcommand of the wireless WAN into the control command of the wireless LANduring an wireless WAN data reception while the wireless WAN commandconversion section converts the control command of the wireless LAN intothe control command of the wireless WAN during an wireless WAN datatransmission.

The wireless WAN command conversion section may convert an NDIS commandas a control command for the wireless LAN communication section into anAT command as a control command for the wireless WAN communicationsection.

The wireless WAN command conversion section may convert first controlinformation including a report for a radio wave condition during datareception and charging information into second control informationcapable of being used in the wireless LAN communication section and thentransfers the second control information to the information terminal.

The wireless LAN data communication control section, the wireless WANcommand conversion section may have functions to constitute or dissolvetransmission and reception data from the portable communication terminalto the information terminal or from the information terminal to theportable communication terminal into a packet array defined by LAN,respectively.

The wireless LAN data communication control section, the wireless WANcommand conversion section may have functions to divide or combine eachpacket of the transmission and reception data into a designated packetsize, respectively.

The portable communication terminal which is capable of communicatingwith an information terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN mayfurther comprise a portable communication apparatus external interfaceblock with respect to the information terminal, wherein data interfacescarrying out transmission and reception of the data, a transfer of thecontrol command, independently, are formed between the portablecommunication apparatus external interface block and the wireless WANcommand conversion section, the wireless LAN data communication controlsection, respectively.

A data interface for transferring the control command, a data interfacefor transferring the transmission and reception data, and a datainterface for transferring information that data communication in thewireless LAN and in the wireless WAN become effective may be formed inparallel by separate paths between the portable communication apparatusexternal interface block and the information terminal.

The data interface for transferring the control command, the datainterface for transferring the transmission and reception data, and thedata interface for transferring information that data communication inthe wireless LAN and in the wireless WAN become effective each betweenthe portable communication apparatus external interface block and theinformation terminal may be formed by USB interfaces, respectively.

The wireless WAN command conversion section, at the time of access tothe wireless WAN, may inform the wireless LAN communication section thatthe wireless WAN is effective at the present and make the wireless LANcommunication section stop the communication, and the wireless LAN datacommunication control section, at the time of access to the wirelessLAN, may inform the wireless WAN communication section that the wirelessLAN is effective at the present and make the wireless WAN communicationsection stop the communication.

The wireless LAN effective line may be formed between the wireless WANcommand conversion section and the wireless LAN data communicationcontrol section while an wireless WAN effective line is formed betweenthe wireless WAN data communication control section and the wireless LANdata communication control section, the wireless LAN effective linebecoming active for informing that the wireless LAN is effective at thepresent from the wireless LAN data communication control section to thewireless WAN command conversion section, and the wireless WAN effectiveline becoming active for informing that the wireless WAN is effective atthe present from the wireless WAN data communication control section tothe wireless LAN data communication control section.

The information that data communication in the wireless WAN is effectiveat the present may be sent to the information terminal and displayed inthe information terminal at the time of access to the wireless WAN, andwherein information that data communication in the wireless LAN iseffective at the present is sent to the information terminal anddisplayed in the information terminal at the time of access to thewireless LAN.

The wireless LAN data communication control section may request theinformation terminal an admittance procedure of the wireless LAN and theinformation terminal is informed that the data communication in thewireless LAN is effective after completion of the admittance procedureof the wireless LAN, when switching from the wireless WAN into thewireless LAN is carried out, and the wireless WAN command conversionsection may request the information terminal an admittance procedure ofthe, wireless WAN and the information terminal is informed that the datacommunication in the wireless WAN is effective after completion of theadmittance procedure of the wireless WAN, when switching from thewireless LAN into the wireless WAN is carried out.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a method of converting a control protocol of a portablecommunication terminal which is capable of communicating with aninformation terminal between different kinds of networks, the methodcomprising the steps of: carrying out data communications separately inrespective service areas of the different kinds of networks; controllingthe data communications by control commands used in respective networks;and carrying out conversion of the control commands used in respectivenetworks and a control command used in the information terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for schematically showing a constitution of aconventional portable communication terminal capable of communicatingwith an information terminal;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for schematically showing a constitution of aportable communication terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention which is capable of communicating with an informationterminal;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining a sequence of operations of theembodiment of the present invention in a case that the portablecommunication terminal exists in a service area of the wireless LAN;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining an example of a sequence ofoperations of the embodiment of the present invention in a case that theportable communication terminal exists in a service area of the wirelessWAN; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining an example of operations of theembodiment of the present invention in a case that the wireless WAN datacommunication is switched into the wireless LAN data communication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, description is, at first made about a conventionalportable communication terminal capable of communicating with aninformation terminal in order to facilitate an understanding of thepresent invention. FIG. 1 schematically shows a constitution of theconventional portable communication terminal capable of communicatingwith an information terminal. Besides, similar portions are designatedby like reference numerals over all of the drawings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an AT (Attention) command system is used incontrolling data communication during data communication, and the likebetween a portable communication terminal 10 and an information terminal20 capable of communicating with the portable communication terminal. Inthe AT command system, a control command and a data array aretime-divisionally transferred in the same interface.

A wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) CDMA (Carrier Division MultipleAccess) communication section 11 is formed in the portable communicationterminal 10. The wireless WAN CDMA communication section 11 carries outtransmission and reception of communication data in a wireless WANservice area.

A wireless WAN data communication control block 12 is connected to thewireless WAN CDMA communication section 11 through a data interface 101.The wireless WAN data communication control block 12 controls acommunication in the wireless WAN CDMA communication section 11. Thewireless WAN data communication control block 12 receives a receptiondata from the wireless WAN CDMA communication section 11 and sends atransmission data to the wireless WAN CDMA communication section 11.

A command/data separation block 15 is connected to the wireless WAN datacommunication control block 12 through an interface 102 and an interface112. The command/data separation block 15 separates a control commandand a data array both transferred in the AT command system from eachother. Between the command/data separation block 15 and the wireless WANdata communication control block 12, a transfer of transmission andreception data is carried out through the interface 112 while a transferof a control command is carried out through the interface 102.

A portable communication apparatus external interface block 14 isconnected to the command/data separation block 15 through a command datainterface 141. Between the portable communication apparatus externalinterface block 14 and the command/data separation block 15, a transferof the control command and the data array both in the AT command systemfrom the information terminal 20 is carried out through a data interface301.

In the interim, in the above-mentioned portable communication terminal10, only one command data interface 141 exists between the portablecommunication apparatus external interface block 14 and the command/dataseparation block 15. As a result, the information terminal 20 cannotsend a control command to the portable communication terminal 10 duringdata communication.

It is therefore necessary that the information terminal 20 alwaysmonitors whether or not the portable communication terminal 10 is duringthe data communication and so cannot receive the control command.Further, when the information terminal 20 sends the control command, theinformation terminal 20 must send the control command after enabling theportable communication terminal 10 to receive the control command by theuse of an especial sequence. Moreover, when necessary, the informationterminal 20 must turn the portable communication terminal 10 to becapable of the data communication again after finishing the sending ofthe control command.

On the other hand, for example, a protocol called NDIS (Network DriverInterface Specification) is used for a control command in general LAN(Local Area Network) equipment. It is thereby possible to send thecontrol command, even though the general LAN equipment is during datacommunication.

Under the circumstances, let the above-mentioned portable communicationterminal 10 be supplied not only with a data transmission and receptionfunction by a wireless WAN but also with a data transmission andreception function by a wireless LAN. Accordingly, a method ofcontrolling command/data communication in a case the wireless WAN iseffective is different from a method of controlling command/datacommunication in a case the wireless LAN is effective. As a result, theconventional portable communication terminal 10 has a problem that amethod of controlling the portable communication terminal 10 for thedata communication becomes complicated.

Further, in the wireless WAN communication, the control command cannotbe issued during data communication. As a result, an operation of theinformation terminal 20 in a case of effective wireless LAN becomesdifferent from that in a case of effective wireless WAN. It is thereforefeared that a user of the information terminal 20 comes to be confused.

On the other hand, if the control commands for the portablecommunication terminal 10 in the wireless WAN is restricted to the NDISprotocol, it is feared that conventional application software installedin the information terminal 20 become inoperable. Moreover, in adevelopment of the portable communication terminal 10 itself, a periodfor th development thereof is extended, since the conventional wirelessWAN data communication control block 12 is unable to be used.

Now, referring to FIG. 2, description will proceed to a portablecommunication terminal capable of communicating with an informationterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 isa block diagram for schematically showing a constitution of a portablecommunication terminal capable of communicating with an informationterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, in whichboth the portable communication terminal and the information terminalare connected to different kinds of networks from each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, both a wireless LAN communication section 21and a wireless WAN communication section 11 are formed in a portablecommunication terminal 10. The wireless LAN communication section 21,the wireless WAN communication section 11 transmits and receivescommunication data in a wireless LAN service area, a wireless WANservice area, respectively.

Further, it is assumed that an NDIS protocol for the wireless LANcommunication section 21 is used in controlling data communicationduring data communication, and the like, between the portablecommunication terminal 10 and an information terminal 20 capable ofcommunicating with the portable communication terminal 10.

In FIG. 2, the wireless WAN communication section 11, the wireless WANdata communication control block 12, and the portable communicationapparatus external interface block 14 are used similarly to those ofFIG. 1. Each of the wireless WAN communication section 11 and thewireless WAN data communication control block 12 does not have afunction of access to an wireless LAN but has a function of access to anwireless WAN. A wireless LAN data communication control block 22 isconnected to the wireless LAN communication section 21 through a datainterface 201. Although the wireless LAN data communication controlblock 22 has a function of access to an wireless LAN, the wireless LANdata communication control block 22 does not have a function of accessto an wireless WAN. The wireless LAN data communication control block 22controls communication of the wireless LAN communication section 21.Accordingly, the wireless LAN data communication control block 22receives a reception data from the wireless LAN communication section 21and sends a transmission data to the wireless LAN communication section21. The wireless LAN data communication control block 22 constitutes ordissolves the transmission and reception data into a packet arraydefined by LAN. The constitution or dissolution of the packet array iscarried out in order that a uniform data processing may be conducted inthe information terminal 20.

A portable communication apparatus external interface block 14 isconnected to the wireless LAN data communication control block 22through data interfaces 212, 202. Between the portable communicationapparatus external interface block 14 and the wireless LAN datacommunication control block 22, a transfer of the transmission andreception data is carried out through the data interface 212.

On the other hand, between the portable communication apparatus externalinterface block 14 and the wireless LAN data communication control block22, a transfer of a control command for controlling the wireless LAN iscarried out through the data interface 202.

Next, as mentioned before, the wireless WAN CDMA communication section11 sends a reception data to the wireless WAN data communication controlblock 12 through the data interface 101 and receives a transmission datafrom the wireless WAN data communication control block 12.

The wireless WAN data communication control block 12 is similar to thatof the conventional portable communication terminal 10 having nofunction of access to wireless LAN. Accordingly, the wireless WAN datacommunication control block 12 is adjusted to use an AT command as acontrol command.

A wireless WAN command conversion block 13 is connected to the wirelessWAN data communication control block 12 through the data interfaces 112,102. The wireless WAN command conversion block 13 is newly added in thisinvention. Between the wireless WAN command conversion block 13 and thewireless WAN data communication control block 12, a transfer of thetransmission and reception data is carried out through the datainterface 112.

Further, between the wireless WAN command conversion block 13 and thewireless WAN data communication control block 12, a transfer of acontrol command for controlling the wireless WAN is carried out throughthe data interface 102.

A portable communication apparatus external interface block 14 isconnected to the wireless WAN command conversion block 13 through datainterfaces 114, 104.

Between the portable communication apparatus external interface block 14and the wireless WAN command conversion block 13, a transfer of thetransmission and reception data is carried out through the datainterface 114.

Further, between the portable communication apparatus external interfaceblock 14 and the wireless WAN command conversion block 13, a transfer ofa control command for controlling the wireless LAN is carried outthrough the data interface 104.

The wireless WAN command conversion block 13 carries out conversions ofa control command regarding data communication of the wireless WAN and acontrol command regarding data communication of the wireless LAN intoeach other.

Namely, the wireless WAN command conversion block 13 converts thecontrol command regarding data communication of the wireless LAN intothe control command regarding data communication of the wireless WANduring data transmission. On the contrary, the wireless WAN commandconversion block 13 converts the control command regarding datacommunication of the wireless WAN into the control command regardingdata communication of the wireless LAN during data reception.

By the conversions, it becomes possible to conduct not only the wirelessLAN data communication but also the wireless WAN data communication inspite of a single control command.

In addition, the wireless WAN command conversion block 13 constitutes ordissolves the transmission and reception data sent from the datainterface 112 into a packet array defined by LAN. The wireless WANcommand conversion block 13 transfers the packet array to the portablecommunication apparatus external interface block 14 and receives thepacket array from the portable communication apparatus externalinterface block 14 through the data interface 114. By the constitutionor dissolution of the packet array, a uniform data processing can beconducted in the information terminal 20.

The information terminal 20 is connected to the portable communicationapparatus external interface block 14 through a data interface 301 fortransferring the control command, a data interface 302 for transferringinformation of effective networks, and a data interface 311 fortransferring the transmission and reception data.

Accordingly, an issue of a control command and a transfer of informationof the effective networks can be carried out, even though those arecarried out during data communication at the time of access to anwireless WAN.

An USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface is used as the data interface301, the data interface 302, and the data interface 311. In the USBinterface, a command interface pipe 301, a network-selecting indicatorinterface pipe 302, and a data interface pipe 311 exist as differentpipes (paths), respectively. Communication can be conducted between theportable communication terminal 10 and the information terminal 20through the command interface pipe 301, the network-selecting indicatorinterface pipe 302, and the data interface pipe 311, respectively, inparallel.

With the structure, the communication can be readily conducted betweenthe portable communication terminal 10 and the information terminal 20,since the USB interface is used.

Further, a wireless LAN effective line 98 is connected between thewireless LAN data communication control block 22 and the wireless WANcommand conversion block 13. The wireless LAN effective line 98 becomesactive, when the wireless WAN command conversion block 13 is informed,by the wireless LAN data communication control block 22, of the factthat the wireless LAN is effective at the present.

In a case that an active condition of the wireless LAN effective line 98is detected, the wireless WAN command conversion block 13 demands a stopof the communication from the wireless WAN data communication controlblock 12.

Further, a wireless WAN effective line 99 is connected between thewireless LAN data communication control block 22 and the wireless WANdata communication control block 12. The wireless WAN effective line 99becomes active, when the wireless LAN data communication control block22 is informed, by the wireless WAN data communication control block 12,of the fact that the wireless WAN is effective at the present.

In a case that an active condition of the wireless WAN effective line 99is detected, the wireless LAN data communication control block 22 stopsthe communication.

Thus, switching between the wireless WAN and the wireless LAN can bereadily achieved.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining a sequence of operations of theembodiment of the present invention in a case that the portablecommunication terminal 10 exists in a service area of the wireless LAN.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the portable communicationterminal 10 exists in a service area of the wireless LAN (step S401).

The wireless WAN communication section 11 transmits and receives radioinformation with respect to the wireless WAN (step S402).

The wireless WAN communication section 11 sends a reception data to thewireless WAN data communication control block 12 through the datainterface 101 (step S403).

A control command is sent from the portable communication apparatusexternal interface block 14 to the wireless WAN command conversion block13 through the command interface pipe 301 on USB in line with the NDISformat (step S404).

In the wireless WAN command conversion block 13, the NDIS command sentfrom the portable communication apparatus external interface block 14 isconverted into an AT command (step S405).

Besides, only the NDIS control command has already been sent in thecommand interface pipe 301 on USB. It is therefore not necessary thatthe wireless WAN command conversion block 13 carries out actions forsynthesis and separation of a command array and transmission/receptiondata especially required for the AT command.

For example, a report for a radio wave condition during data reception,charging information, and the like are sent to the information terminal20 through the command interface pipe 301 on USB in line with the NDISformat (step S406). As a result, a transfer of control information canbe carried out, even though the portable communication terminal 10 isduring data communication with the information terminal 20 through thewireless WAN.

The transmission/reception data is transferred through the datainterface pipe 311 on USB with the transmission/reception data beingdivided or combined into a designated packet size (step S407).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining an example of a sequence ofoperations of the embodiment of the present invention in a case that theportable communication terminal 10 exists in a service area of thewireless WAN.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the portable communicationterminal 10 exists in a service area of the wireless WAN (step S411).

The wireless LAN communication section 21 transmits and receives radioinformation with respect to the wireless LAN (step S412).

The wireless LAN communication section 21 sends a reception data to thewireless LAN data communication control block 22 through the datainterface 201 (step S413).

A control command is sent to the wireless LAN data communication controlblock 22 through the command interface pipe 301 on USB in line with theNDIS format (step S414).

For example, a report for a radio wave condition during data reception,charging information, and the like are sent to the information terminal20 through the command interface pipe 301 on USB in line with the NDISformat (step S415).

The transmission/reception data is transferred through the datainterface pipe 311 on USB with the transmission/reception data beingdivided or combined into a designated packet size (step S416).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining an example of operations of theembodiment of the present invention in a case that the wireless WAN datacommunication is switched into the wireless LAN data communication.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the portable communication terminal 10 ismoving in a boundary of a service area of the wireless LAN, it is, forexample, assumed that the portable communication terminal 10 enters froma service-area of the wireless WAN into the service area of the wirelessLAN (step S421).

The wireless LAN communication section 21 transmits and receives radioinformation with respect to the wireless LAN (step S422).

The wireless LAN communication section 21 sends a reception data to thewireless LAN data communication control block 22 through the datainterface 201 (step S423).

An wireless LAN data that has not yet been output from the wireless LANcommunication section 21 is sent in parallel to the wireless LAN datacommunication control block 22 through the data interface 201 (stepS424).

The wireless LAN data communication control block 22 requests theinformation terminal 20 an admittance procedure of the wireless LANbased on the wireless LAN data through the data interface 202 (stepS425).

After finishing the admittance procedure of the wireless LAN in theinformation terminal 20, the wireless LAN data communication controlblock 22 makes the wireless LAN effective line 98 be active (step S426).Accordingly, the portable communication terminal 10 can be preventedfrom being abused.

The wireless LAN data communication control block 22 informs thewireless WAN command conversion block 13 of the fact that the wirelessLAN is effective at the present. In addition, the wireless LAN datacommunication control block 22 demands a stop of data communicationoperation in the wireless WAN from the wireless WAN command conversionblock 13 (step S427).

In the wireless WAN command conversion block 13, it is detected that thewireless LAN effective line 98 is inactive (step S428). When thewireless LAN effective line 98 is detected to be inactive, an operationproceeds to the next step.

The wireless WAN command conversion block 13 demands a stop of thecommunication from the wireless WAN data communication control block 12by AT command (step S429).

When the data communication in the wireless WAN is completed, anoperation proceeds to the next step (step S430).

When the data communication is completed, the wireless WAN effectiveline 99 becomes inactive (step S431).

An information that data communication in the wireless LAN has becomeeffective is sent to the information terminal 20 through thenetwork-selecting indicator interface pipe 302 and displayed in theinformation terminal 20 (step S432).

As described above, according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, provided is a portable communication terminal which iscapable of communicating with an information terminal between differentkinds of networks comprising: a plurality of radio communicationsections which carry out data communications, respectively in respectiveservice areas of the different kinds of networks; a data communicationcontrol section which controls the data communications of a plurality ofradio communication sections by their own first control commands ofrespective radio communication sections; and a command conversionsection which carries out conversion of the first control commands usedby the data communication control section and a second control commandused for a communication with the information terminal.

As a result, despite whether data communication is conducted by way ofthe wireless LAN or the wireless WAN, the data communication in thewireless LAN and the wireless WAN can be conducted seamlessly withoutworrying about kinds of control command and control sequence forcontrolling the portable communication terminal from view point of theinformation terminal. Namely, a method of controlling data communicationcan be readily conducted, even if the portable communication terminalhas functions of both wireless WAN and wireless LAN. Further, even ifthe wireless WAN or the wireless LAN is effective in the informationterminal, an user of the information terminal can be prevented frombeing confused due to different operations of the wireless WAN and thewireless LAN on the information terminal. Furthermore, even if thecontrol commands in the wireless WAN is restricted to the NDIS protocol,application software installed in the information terminal can beprevented from being inoperable. Moreover, a period for a development ofthe portable communication terminal can be prevented from being extendedon the ground that a wireless WAN data communication control block isunable to be used.

While the present invention has thus far been described in conjunctionwith only a preferred embodiment thereof, it will now be readilypossible for those skilled in the art to put this invention into variousother manners.

For example, in the above embodiment, description was made as regards anexample of operations in a case that data communication in the wirelessWAN is switched into data communication in the wireless LAN. The presentinvention can also be applied to an example of operations in a case thatdata communication in the wireless LAN is switched into datacommunication in the wireless WAN.

Further, in the above embodiment, description was made as regards thewireless WAN and the wireless LAN. The present invention can also beapplied to a case between pluralities of different kinds of networks.Moreover, in the data communication in the wireless LAN, the presentinvention can also be applied to a network standard connected on IP(Internet Protocol) base other than IEEE (Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers) 802.11b.

1. A portable communication terminal which is capable of communicatingwith an information terminal between different kinds of networks,comprising: a plurality of radio communication sections which carry outdata communications, respectively in respective service areas of saiddifferent kinds of networks; a data communication control section whichcontrols said data communications of said a plurality of radiocommunication sections by their own first control commands of respectiveradio communication sections; and a command conversion section whichcarries out conversion of said first control commands used by said datacommunication control section and a second control command used for acommunication with said information terminal.
 2. A portablecommunication terminal which is capable of communicating with aninformation terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN, comprising:a wireless WAN communication section which has a function of access tosaid wireless WAN; a wireless LAN communication section which has afunction of access to said wireless LAN; a wireless LAN datacommunication control section which controls data communication of saidwireless LAN communication section by a control command of said wirelessLAN and which simultaneously communicating with said informationterminal at the control command of said wireless LAN; a wireless WANdata communication control section which controls data communication ofsaid wireless WAN communication section by a control command of saidwireless WAN; and a wireless WAN command conversion section whichcarries out conversion of said control command of said wireless WAN andsaid control command of said wireless LAN between said wireless WAN datacommunication control section and said information terminal.
 3. Aportable communication terminal which is capable of communicating withan information terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN asclaimed in claim 2, wherein communication is carried out between saidportable communication terminal and said information terminal by acontrol protocol for said wireless LAN communication section.
 4. Aportable communication terminal which is capable of communicating withan information terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN asclaimed in claim 2, wherein said wireless WAN command conversion sectionconverts said control command of said wireless WAN into said controlcommand of said wireless LAN during an wireless WAN data reception whilesaid wireless WAN command conversion section converts said controlcommand of said wireless LAN into said control command of said wirelessWAN during an wireless WAN data transmission.
 5. A portablecommunication terminal which is capable of communicating with aninformation terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN as claimedin claim 2, wherein said wireless WAN command conversion sectionconverts an NDIS command as a control command for said wireless LANcommunication section into an AT command as a control command for saidwireless WAN communication section.
 6. A portable communication terminalwhich is capable of communicating with an information terminal in anwireless WAN and an wireless LAN as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidwireless WAN command conversion section converts a first controlinformation including a report for an radio wave condition during datareception and charging information into a second control informationcapable of being used in said wireless LAN communication section andthen transfers the second control information to said informationterminal.
 7. A portable communication terminal which is capable ofcommunicating with an information terminal in an wireless WAN and anwireless LAN as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wireless LAN datacommunication control section, said wireless WAN command conversionsection have functions to constitute or dissolve transmission andreception data from said portable communication terminal to saidinformation terminal or from said information terminal to said portablecommunication terminal into a packet array defined by LAN, respectively.8. A portable communication terminal which is capable of communicatingwith an information terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN asclaimed in claim 7, wherein said wireless LAN data communication controlsection, said wireless WAN command conversion section have functions todivide or combine each packet of said transmission and reception datainto a designated packet size, respectively.
 9. A portable communicationterminal which is capable of communicating with an information terminalin an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising a portable communication apparatus external interface blockwith respect to said information terminal, wherein data interfacescarrying out transmission and reception of said data, a transfer of saidcontrol command, independently, are formed between said portablecommunication apparatus external interface block and said wireless WANcommand conversion section, said wireless LAN data communication controlsection, respectively.
 10. A portable communication terminal which iscapable of communicating with an information terminal in an wireless WANand an wireless LAN as claimed in claim 9, wherein a data interface fortransferring the control command, a data interface for transferring thetransmission and reception data, and a data interface for transferringinformation that data communication in said wireless LAN and in saidwireless WAN become effective are formed in parallel by separate pathsbetween said portable communication apparatus external interface blockand said information terminal.
 11. A portable communication terminalwhich is capable of communicating with an information terminal in anwireless WAN and an wireless LAN as claimed in claim 10, wherein saiddata interface for transferring the control command, said data interfacefor transferring the transmission and reception data, and said datainterface for transferring information that data communication in saidwireless LAN and in said wireless WAN become effective each between saidportable communication apparatus external interface block and saidinformation terminal are formed by USB interfaces, respectively.
 12. Aportable communication terminal which is capable of communicating withan information terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN asclaimed in claim 2, wherein said wireless WAN command conversionsection, at the time of access to said wireless WAN, informs saidwireless LAN communication section that the wireless WAN is effective atthe present and makes said wireless LAN communication section stop thecommunication, and wherein said wireless LAN data communication controlsection, at the time of access to said wireless LAN, informs saidwireless WAN communication section that the wireless LAN is effective atthe present and makes said wireless WAN communication section stop thecommunication.
 13. A portable communication terminal which is capable ofcommunicating with an information terminal in an wireless WAN and anwireless LAN as claimed-in claim 12, wherein an wireless LAN effectiveline is formed between said wireless WAN command conversion section andsaid wireless LAN data communication control section while an wirelessWAN effective line is formed between said wireless WAN datacommunication control section and said wireless LAN data communicationcontrol section, said wireless LAN effective line becoming active forinforming that the wireless LAN is effective at the present from saidwireless LAN data communication control section to said wireless WANcommand conversion section, and said wireless WAN effective linebecoming active for informing that the wireless WAN is effective at thepresent from said wireless WAN data communication control section tosaid wireless LAN data communication control section.
 14. A portablecommunication terminal which is capable of communicating with aninformation terminal in an wireless WAN and an wireless LAN as claimedin claim 12, wherein information that data communication in the wirelessWAN is effective at the present is sent to said information terminal anddisplayed in the information terminal at the time of access to saidwireless WAN, and wherein information that data communication in thewireless LAN is effective at the present is sent to said informationterminal and displayed in the information terminal at the time of accessto said wireless LAN.
 15. A portable communication terminal which iscapable of communicating with an information terminal in an wireless WANand an wireless LAN as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wireless LANdata communication control section requests said information terminal anadmittance procedure of the wireless LAN and said information terminalis informed that said data communication in the wireless LAN iseffective after completion of said admittance procedure of the wirelessLAN, when switching from said wireless WAN into said wireless LAN iscarried out, and wherein said wireless WAN command conversion sectionrequests said information terminal an admittance procedure of thewireless WAN and said information terminal is informed that said datacommunication in the wireless WAN is effective after completion of saidadmittance procedure of the wireless WAN, when switching from saidwireless LAN into said wireless WAN is carried out.
 16. A method ofconverting a control protocol of a portable communication terminal whichis capable of communicating with an information terminal betweendifferent kinds of networks, said method comprising the steps of:carrying out data communications separately in respective service areasof said different kinds of networks; controlling said datacommunications by control commands used in respective networks; andcarrying out conversion of said control commands used in respectivenetworks and a control command used in said information terminal.